Johannes Reuchlin (1455–1522): A Unique Philosemitic Public Intellectual

What is it about?

This article focuses on the life and work of Johannes Reuchlin (1455–1522). Its primary source is Reuchlin’s Expert Opinion Whether to Confiscate, Destroy and Burn All Jewish Books (Ratschlag Ob Man Den Juden Alle Ire Bücher Nemmen, Abthun Und Verbrennen Soll) published in 1510. Based on this and the scholarly literature, it is argued that as an outstanding philosemitic humanist who saved the Talmud and other Jewish books from destruction, Reuchlin should be recognized as a public intellectual, the greatest of his time.

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